The Washington critic., 1887-03-10
HIS SPECIAL GIFT.
"llave you seen the freshman %
(Which p

vades the place. The trees in the
campus shrank into bushes when he
came into It,
The students who were going up 10
chapel In groups were calling to each
other, joking as usual. But there was
but one subject to day for their jokes.
Have you seen the babe ?" Tom
Thumb" "Bulgy"-they had dozen
nicknames for this unfortunate fresh
man, who had arrived. the previous
night, and had been seen at the hotel
by some of them.
He was not at chapel, however, so
that the majority of us were disap.
pointed.
had an errand TO Professor Tyn-
dall's room that morning, and found
therc very meek young woman, who
had brought her son up to college.
She was speaking as entered.
You understand, Professor, he is
my only child. am widow. lie is
all have"
II do understand, madam" said the
good old Professor, gently, "and all
that can do to make him useful
man shall be done. rest assured. But
In the end 1t depends on the lad him
self"
"Oh. Tony's willing! lie does his
best. But we're very poor. 1t has
been hard work for years to raise the
money for him to come here, and now
want him to learn everything right
away; Greek and Latin and Mathe.
matics and arithmetic and history
and"
"Is your son a good arithmctIciang
Or has he talent for languages, or
bellies lettres, or what has he an incli.
nation for?'
"Oh, nothing at all, sir, unless II Is
his meals. He's very fond of dinner,
especially when there's pot pie. But
as for books, he doesn't banker for any
of them. That's the reason brought
him here"
II should like TO see the boy" said
the worried professor.
"lIc's just outside, But you'll be
gentle with himy" she said, anxiously,
pausing at the door, the knob In her
hand. Hes mere boy, n perfect
child. Come in Tony, dear.
The professor looked away to hide n
smile as the tiny little woman came up,
leading an immensely overgrown youth
as she would baby.
This Is Tony, sir. That is his pet
name. but Anthony Briggs Brashier is
his full name"
Take seat Mr.. Brashier," said
the professor, placing a chair for the
lad. "a few questions, perhaps, will
give me an idea of the best course for
you to choose. Many of our students
are elective. How far have you gone
in Latin?'
Tony's red face was perfectly round I.
and no older in Its lines than that of q
boy of g. But there was great anxiety
In his eyes, as he said, in husky whis.
per: II never could get beyond the
grammar, SIR"
"And In Greek ?"
Tony shook his head. The examina.
tlon on every subject brought the same
results. The professor frowned. "You
are fit only for the preparatory school,
fear. As to mathematics p
Tony's face frightened. 81 dom,
think | am quite such Ounce In mathe
MATES as In other things. ] like the
study. / have gone through the geome-
try and algebra twice.
"Well, we'll" said the professor
1--WE shall see. You will undergo d
regular examination. Ii you must Gu
ter the preparatory school 1t will MAKE
your course year longer"
"Ob, dear Tony, do try - almost
sobbed his mother. You know al
that depends on your getting through
soon. want him to be minister, sir
His father was minister. He'd earn
our living that way and serve God, too
i want him 10 live for the glory uI
God and the good Of the world"
The professor attended her respect
fully as she went out. Tony fingered
catching sight of me,
Are you ono OF the students ," ht
asked.
yes" ] had an odd bewil1ermeu
as TO whether 1t was a child or grave
eager man who was talking to me,
II suppose it's pretty hard worl
here ?"
Pretty hard even for a bright fel
low replied.
"Well, ! can't do it. I'm not bright
I'm regular Ounce. I've made up mi
mind to that. Except" his queer darl
eyes Frightening, sin one or two littl,
things, but they wouldn't count-here.
There was little doubt that Tony s
estimate of himself was correct. IL
spite of his knowledge of mathematics
he was so deficient In his other studies
that he was put into the preparatory
school, with lady of 13. Thae HI
remained for two long years.
His mothers resolve that he should
be minister was memorable, and |
never occurred to the gentle, good
nalured lad to oppose 1t. Hence tht
energies of his teachers we're spent II
tn lriu ntt t,,t,
bis dull brain, which utterly refused t
harbor them. He was fond of goot
eating, of fishing, Jokes. fun of al
kinds. His unwieldy body prevented
his taking part In athletic sports, bu
lis applause was hearty. No student
even among the dignified seniors, woult
play against any other college In base
ball or cricket unless Tony could go t
back him. His enthusiastic shout
and yells were contagious.
OF course he was a butt for tn,
whole college. He was Babe,
Infant" "lIumpty Dumpty" still
but every man, from the professors t,
the newest freshman, liked Tony. ii
was so good humOred, so sincere and
above all, in such deadly earnest will
his work. He began with fresh yea
every morning to score Il fresh failur
before night,
BY diht of pushing he was taliel
in,o the freshman class.
II doubt If he ever goes further,
said Professor Tyndall to me Il wa
now n tutor In the lower school,
"There's not mean or vulgar trait Il
that great body. Under his good hu
NOR there Is a fine noble nature. Bu
minister he will never be. Even |
he could ever sneak in public, he neye